John h



(No Model.)

J. H. POULTER. SHOE FASTENING.

' No. 480,133. Patented Aug. 2, 1892.

W/T/VESSES. 1%R

ATTORNEY.

NITED STATES PATE T OFFICE.

JOHN H. POULTER, OF ARCOLA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN H. SULLIVAN, OF SAME PLACE.

SHOE-FASTENING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 480,133, dated August 2, 1892.

Application filed December 8, 1890- Serial No. 373,990. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN H. POULTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Arcola, in the county of Douglas and State of Illinois, have invented an Improvement in Shoe-Fastenings, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to fastening devices for the ordinary rubber overshoe. Its objects are to provide simple, effective, and economical means for securing the rubber overshoe to the foot of the wearer or such other articles to which it can be made applicable. I attain these objects by the use of the following mechanism or devices, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a view in perspective of an ordinary rubber overshoe having my fastenings secured thereto. Fig. 2 is a skeleton view of my retaining-plate and hook with the buckle and engaging loop or eye engaged therewith. Fig. 3 is a front view of the retaining-plate and hook. Fig. 4 is an inverted view of my buckle and loop or eye.

Similar letters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several drawings.

A represents an ordinary rubber overshoe to which is attached on the under side of the same a strip of elastic webbing or rubber B, of such length and width as may be desired, and firmly secured to the shoe with metallic or other suitable methods and having its outer ends passing through a buckle 0, provided therefor, and passing over the crossbars E and center bar E, and down under the cross-bar E to such distance as may be desirable. Then the end is doubled back underneath and so arranged as to firmly hold the cross-bars E and E between the two folds of the strap B. These ends can now be firmly secured together by cement or otherwise. We now have the crossbar E of the buckle on the upper side of the strap B and the engaging eye or loop F, projecting from the lower side of the strap B.

H is a metallic plate constructed of any suitable material and. having as integral parts an elongated, dished, or convexed center of such depth as to correspond with the thickness of the material used in the article to which it is to be attached and having the engaging-hook I either cast or forged or bent back such length as desired and of such form as taste may demand, but being so bent that its upper surface is on a level with the top sides of J J and parallel thereto. The metal plate H, with its engaging-hook I and depressed center, is now firmly secured to the outer sides of the heel of the rubber shoe A, either on the inside or outside of the shoe, or other material used in construction of the shoe A, but preferably by insertion between the folds or layers of material used in the construction of the shoe, and passing the engaging-hook I through a slot corresponding therewith in the outer surface of the shoe. The plate can now be se cured in place by cement, stitches, or metallic fastenings, as may be most desired; but when secured therein the top of the engaging-hook I must be on a level or below the surface of the shoe, so that when the fastener is not in use the hook will notengage itself with such other garments as may be worn.

To operate the above, the overshoe, with such fastening devices, is placed on the foot of the wearer. Now by raising the foot to within reach of the hand and taking hold of the elastic strap B and pulling the same over and beyond the hook I the loop or eye F will engage with the hook I and securely hold the same in place and bind the overshoe firmly to the foot of the wearer, thereby preventing the overshoe from slipping up and down or dropping off.

VVhenevor it becomes desirable to remove the rubber overshoe, by gently pulling the outer end of the elastic strap B the loop F F can be disengaged from the hook I and the shoe removed from the foot.

I do not desire to be confined to the par=- ticular shape and form of the retaining-plate and hook as shown, but wish to be at liberty to make these of any desired pattern, (round, square, or oblong,) but at all times retaining the center depression and hook I; nor do I wish to be confined to a single center cross-bar E in the buckle, but desire to be at liberty to increase the number of the same, so that I may by passing over and under the same form a locking device on the end of the strap 13 when folded back, so that the strap B can be lengthened or shortened to fit the ankle of the wearer; nor do I wish to be confined to the use of my invention to the securing of the overshoe only, but that its use may be applied to such other articles as it can be used with to advantage.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. As an improved article of manufacture, a fastener for overshoes or other articles of wearing-apparel, a metallic retaining-plate H, with flaring sides .I J and center depression and engaging-hook I, bent back on a line and parallel with the upper surface of plate H and adapted to receive and securely hold theloop F, and a loop F, secured to an elastic strap at an angle, as shown, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above as my 0 own I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN H. POULTER.

In presence of A. B. DIMOND, PATRICKLYONS. 

